Ron Rivera’s tenure with the Carolina Panthers: the aggressively conservative decision making masked as “playing not to lose.” The Panthers’ Week 2 loss to the Falcons actually featured the opposite to that Graham Gano Jersey , so today we salute Rivera for making the right decisions — even if they weren’t enough in the end. All we’ve ever asked is that he try.Last year, in a Week 3 loss to the Saints, the Panthers lined up Michael Palardy to punt the ball on a 4th and 5 from the Saints’ 35 yard line. At the time, the Panthers were trailing by 18 points. We started this column this year because I am, apparently, still mad about that play and the similar decisions that Rivera has made in similar situations before and since — in spite of his once-earned reputation as a “riverboat gambler.”The Panthers found themselves in two situations on Sunday where the safe bet would have been on another Palardy punt. Instead Daryl Williams Jersey , Rivera made the wise choice both times and kept his team competitive in what would turn out to be a close game.On the opening drive, Cam Newton and the offense stalled out. Graham Gano was sent out to kick a field goal on a 4th and 3 from the Falcons’ 36 yard line. Technically, a field goal is the safe call there. A more aggressive coach might have called on the best short yardage back in the league, Newton, to get those three yards and keep the drive alive. Bet let’s give credit where it is due for clearing the bar set last season: the Panthers didn’t punt. Huzzah.Early in the second quarter, the Panthers were stopped to set up a 4th and 4 from the Falcons’ 33 yard line. This time they went for it and Newton performed his standard magic to convert the first down. This is the much discussed play that saw Damontae Kazee ejected from the game for one of the dirtiest and dumbest hits I’ve ever witnessed. This play also set up the Panthers first touchdown of the game.What was the difference in those two http://www.pantherscheapshop.com/cheap-authentic-dontari-poe-jersey , largely identical downs and distances on essentially the same part of the field? I don’t know. I can’t tell you if there was a consistent decision making process that ended the one drive in a field goal attempt and let the other stay alive for a touchdown. I can tell you that I was happy to see the Panthers consistently not punt in those situations. I don’t know what it is supposed to look like when a turtle comes out of its shell, but I can tell you that kind of naked certainly suited Rivera on Sunday. The Panthers ultimately lost that game by a single touchdown. This week’s post-game analysis would have been decidedly less optimistic without the 10 points they earned by trying to win the game in the first half. Kudos, Ron, and keep it up. I’d love to cancel this column.Panthers to debut another new look against Patriots in preseason game tonight Last night, the Panthers social media team released a teaser video about the uniform combination for tonight’s preseason game against the Patriots. Yes. That’s what you think it is.In case you can’t watch the embedded video, here’s the skinny on what the Panthers are wearing tonight. . .Blue jerseys.Black pants.Blue socks.This is not a drill Cheap Ryan Kalil Jersey , y’all. Just look at this. Look at it. . .I said this last week and I’ll say it again—I know it seems silly to get excited about this stuff, but it’s so nice to see that David Tepper is actually listening to the players and letting them do things differently. It truly feels like a new era in Carolina, and that is a refreshing change.What do you think of the look, Panthers fans? Are you excited about the change? Are you hopeful that this means more changes (cough—all black uniforms—cough) are on the horizon? Share your thoughts!